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Cantsink Helical Piles Keep Decks Safe for Summer Fun

Summer evenings are perfect for deck living. Family cookouts, neighborhood potlucks and weekend entertainment make deck life a summer tradition. Ensuring this tradition continues with out a hitch, its imperative to keep decks safe for summer fun.

  Homeowners should make sure their decks are secure, lest the weight of large numbers threaten the stability of this
popular summer hangout. Decks that lean visibly or show other signs of distress such as misaligned stairs and frames call for secure, underground support to return them to proper alignment promptly and keep decks safe.

  Poor soil under the deck may be the cause. Heavy rains that saturate the ground can also undermine decks.

  Whatever the cause or underlying conditions, Cantsink offers the most lasting and cost-effective way to restore a deck to sturdy support. With one click or call, Cantsink will schedule a visit from its expert staff to examine the alignment of your deck and conditions under it to determine if more support is needed. If so, they work with our staff engineers to design a custom remedy to keep your deck on the level.

  Our patented helical piers are the perfect remedy for sagging, sinking decks. With minimal disruption, Cantsink can install lasting support under your deck guaranteed to provide years of safe, happy summer entertainment for your family and friends.

  Cantsink’s ICC-certified, patented, steel helical piers are manufactured supports installed below the ground surface to provide lasting underground reinforcement for deck frames and keep decks safe.

  Our steel piers are specially fabricated with a unique helix plate at the lower end of the 2 7/8” steel shaft that is easy to install and virtually undetectable once placed. Cantsink’s special design not only makes our helical piers 50 percent stronger than any other steel piers on the market, it also makes our process more environmentally responsible.

  We fabricate our products from high-quality, U.S.-made steel in our net-zero energy manufacturing facility in Metro Atlanta. Cantsink helical piers have been verified through the stringent, independent testing process of the International Code Council, which develops safe, reliable building standards for construction in communities worldwide.

  Our products are custom-engineered and adaptable to a wide range of weather and soil conditions.

  Are you thinking of adding a deck to your home? Start right by building it on Cantsink helical piers. Then, enjoy your new amenity with peace of mind, knowing it has the strength to withstand years of constant use and changing weather conditions.

  The stability of Cantsink helical piers also protects your home’s value by keeping structures such as decks safe, aligned and attractive.

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What are Retaining Wall Blocks?

Retaining wall blocks and retaining walls serve a dual purpose in landscape design, one decorative and the other functional.

  Although retaining walls can be built from concrete or timber, most are constructed with building blocks made to mirror or complement the character of the home and surrounding property accents. While block retaining walls provide attractive visual enhancement for landscape features, they also are important to preventing erosion and holding soil in place for plants. Especially on lots with steep slopes and areas around rivers, streams and lakes, retaining walls help create stable display areas for shrubs and flowers, protect water quality and provide staging for attractive landscape elements.

  Like any other structures, however, retaining walls can be susceptible to shifting soils and water infiltration. This undermines the stability of the wall and can ultimately cause the blocks to crack, separate, or become dislodged.

  That’s why firm foundation support is important to creating retaining walls that stay level and intact year after year. Soil pressure behind the retaining wall exerts pressure on the blocks and the wall must be properly designed to withstand this weight pressing against it. Cantsink’s expert staff can assess and design proper supports for retaining walls, accounting for soil type, building materials, pressure exerted and other key factors.

  Experienced engineers at Cantsink know exactly what will make the wall secure and durable using patented helical piles that install underneath retaining wall blocks for invisible reinforcement.

  Cantink’s helical piles also can restore crumbling walls to strength and alignment. Installation can be done with minimal disturbance to landscaping. Once in place, homeowners can be assured of strength and beauty that will protect their property values for many years in the future.

   All the rain generated in the recent El Niño weather pattern may have undermined some retaining walls with downpours they were not designed to withstand. Once breached, a cracked wall will not revert to its former strength without intervention and added support because water will continue to seep through cracks and pressure points will widen them.

  Cantsink’s friendly experts will come to the site with one call. They have the necessary expertise to assess the damage and begin the cost-effective process to restoring a block retaining wall to lasting stability.

  Other landscape features can suffer from sinking or shifting soil, as well as erosion from excessive rainfall. Decks, porches, pools, patios and gazebos all carry special weight pressures and rely on proper alignment to maintain their appeal and serve their purpose.

  Cantsink’s patented helical piles can support or restore any of these property features to lasting function and aesthetic appeal.  Experienced staff engineers have worked with all types of soil, weather conditions, structural requirements and special circumstances. And Cantsink solutions are very affordable.

  Call today or click here to set an appointment with Cantsink professionals to assess the signs of stress on your block retaining walls or other property structures. They can recommend a cost-effective, customized repair that will keep your features secure, properly aligned and attractive for the years ahead.

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What is Underpinning?

 Homes that exhibit signs of sinking or shifting foundations need underpinning to stop the structural distress that results from the changing structural support altering weight loads in the foundation.

  Underpinning lifts the foundation back to its original alignment, restoring weight distributions in the walls and beams to their fundamental function.

  Any number of conditions can cause foundation sinking, including unsuitable soil, water damage from excessive rain or subsurface moisture that often occurs in areas near bodies of water such as lakes or streams. The signs are easy to identify including fissures in the foundation wall, cracked or crumbling cement, sagging or uneven floors and porch steps that tilt or split apart. Diagonal cracks in drywall and windows or doors that become misaligned in their frames also indicate a sinking foundation.

  2016’s El Niño rains may cause or accelerate foundation settling and undermine a previously unaffected foundation. Sudden downpours create unanticipated runoff that can saturate soil and cause it to shift in unexpected ways. Water patterns that builders may not have foreseen during construction could wash away protective layers of soil around or under the house allowing intrusion that causes the foundation to sink.

  Underpinning with Cantsink’s patented helical piles provides an easy, economical solution that is permanent, virtually undetectable and easy to install. Cantsink piers bore easily into the ground with standard construction equipment to depths where soil is firmly compact and water intrusion cannot undermine stability.

  Homeowners who see the signs of a sinking foundation can call Cantsink for a free assessment from a friendly company expert. Once the need for underpinning is established, Cantsink engineers come to the home for a more thorough examination of conditions under and around the foundation. Then, Cantsink engineers create a customized remediation plan designed especially for that site.

  They determine the extent of support needed, exactly which of Cantsink’s unique products is best suited to the need and where the piles should be inserted.  Some digging is required in the spots where the underpinning will be installed, but this process produces minimal disturbance to existing landscape and is virtually undetectable once installed.

  Not only does the underpinning restore a home to its proper alignment, it prevents any further disruption. The house will remain in alignment for decades and retain its resale value over time.

  Cantsink underpinning also works to restore and protect other property structures including porches, stoops, decks, patios, retaining walls, gazebos and swimming pools.   

  Cantsink’s customized solutions can fix these problems discreetly, accurately, and cost-effectively. Once Cantsink’s easily installed helical piers are in place well below ground and the installation crew is gone, only the homeowner will know the lasting protection is there. Cantsink guarantees its products and has been creating secure foundations with underpinning since 1988.

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What are Pier and Beam Foundations?

Pier and beam foundations are used by homebuilders to secure homes built on backfilled lots, weak soils and on lots near water sources such as lakes or streams.

  These foundations prevent weak ground from sinking or eroding from under the house, causing unsightly, impractical or even dangerous effects as its joints and materials pull and sag from changing position.

  Establishing a pier and beam foundation begins with piles that are bored underground where soil is less likely to shift or heave and ground density can assure lasting alignment for the structure the foundation supports.

  Cantsink engineers come to the site for soil testing, which may include borings in the home’s future footprint. These tests, along with calculations that account for the size and configuration of the house, help them determine exactly what types of piles to use, how deeply they should be embedded and how many piles to use.

  Once these calculations have been made, the homebuilder establishes the exact contour of the house on its grade and digs its footings. Cantsink’s patented steel piles are then drilled into the layout.  With Cantsink helical piles, insertion goes quickly with commonly used construction equipment. No special machines are required.

  Once the piles are installed roughly six feet to eight feet apart, concrete beams are created to span between them. Rebar in the beams is used for additional reinforcement. With piles and beams in place, the concrete to create the home’s foundation is poured, finishing a lasting support for the home that resists sinking, shifting and settling.

  Forming pier and beam foundations only takes a matter of days, or a week at most, and the result is a home that maintains its alignment for decades. Cantsink has been in the business of stabilizing and restoring foundations since 1988. Because of its long history and strong portfolio of lasting foundation durability, the company has established relationships throughout Metro Atlanta’s builder and engineering communities, with a widely recognized reputation for excellence.

 Cantsink’s easily installed, below-ground helical piers are undetectable even as they provide lasting protection for the home’s value along with guaranteed results. These pier and beam foundations piles also can be used to support decks, pools, stoops, retaining walls, patios or other landscape structures, which also are vulnerable to unstable soil and inclement weather.

  With products engineered to specific soil and climate conditions, Cantsink protects property value with easy, economical foundation stability. Just one call to Cantsink can engage our friendly, expert staff, who will come to the site and provide an initial assessment of its needs.

  Cantsink provides customized engineering support and guaranteed products that assure lasting structural alignment and integrity. These solutions are each designed specifically for individual site conditions. Designers and builders throughout Metro Atlanta have come to trust Cantsink for the kind of lasting quality their customers expect.

  Remember, a house is only as good as the foundation that supports it. Don’t settle for anything less than the trusted value of Cantsink pier and beam foundations and reinforcement.

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Does My House Have Helical Piers?

The great thing about Cantsink helical piers foundation supports is that, once installed, they are virtually undetectable.

   Homeowners, however, may wonder if their homes have the permanent, ICC-certified protection of Cantsink’s engineered steel support under their foundations. Time will tell, of course, if these homes remain level and show none of the signs of foundation settling, such as cracks in the concrete or uneven floors.

  If the house is fairly new, or has been renovated in recent years, Cantsink will have records on where its foundation supports have been installed. The company’s friendly staff is happy to check and let a homeowner know if their address is in records on file.

  Cantsink, however, has been in business since 1988 and cannot keep every record the company has ever generated indefinitely. The good news is that wherever Cantsink’s patented helical piers are in place, even as far back as the 1990s, those homes will still maintain their structural integrity.

  Precisely engineered and easily installed, Cantsink helical piers are the cost-effective method for permanent peace of mind. This durable support under a home’s foundation resists weather and geographic conditions such as rain-saturated ground, freezing winter temperatures and shifting soil conditions. All of these can wreck a home’s structural alignment and integrity.

  Certainly, any homeowner who notices the telltale signs of a sinking foundation should contact Cantsink for a free assessment to determine if additional support is needed. Doors that are hard to open and close, windows that won’t open all the way, floors that sag or tilt, and diagonal hairline cracks along interior drywall all indicate problems in the foundation.

  Eventually, more serious signs may develop, such as fissures in the foundation wall. These signs should not be ignored and may be dangerous if not remedied.

   Outdoor structures also suffer from settling soil in the ground underneath them. Allowing these problems to continue unresolved can lead to dangerous conditions or unsightly surroundings that affect a home’s market value.

  Decks, in particular, are vulnerable to changing soil conditions. Unsupported wooden decks may shift and tilt, causing boards to bulge, nails to pop up, and joints to separate. Left unaddressed over time, a settling deck may collapse under heavy weight such as an outdoor party or family cookout.

  Cantsink’s expert staff can assess damage and consult with our engineers to devise a customized, economical solution that will last through the life of the home. Once the Cantsink supports have been installed, no one except the homeowner knows they are there because their sturdy, reliable protection is deep underground.

     With products engineered to specific soil and climate conditions, Cantsink maintains property value with easy, cost-effective repairs. A single call to Cantsink is all that’s needed to schedule a free home inspection.

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Could a Small Cement Crack Be Something More?

Every house experiences some minor cracking in its foundation as it ages over time, but could a small cement crack be something more.

  Homeowners are rightly concerned when they see cracks in the cement of their foundations, but knowing whether those cracks signal more serious damage can be difficult. Housing codes have specific guidance about when signs of foundation settling should be addressed.

  Foundation and cement cracks wide enough to allow water to seep through are a clear sign of pending distress. Water intrusion not only erodes existing cracks, but can exacerbate unseen weaknesses to further undermine a home’s foundation.

  Other signs that a home’s fundamental support is unstable include evidence ground is eroding under the foundation or pulling away from the structural support. This includes visible gaps between the foundation and the ground, depressions or sinkholes under the home, and discernable differences in ground height between one side of the home and another.

  Cantsink experts can examine such signs and determine if a home’s foundation needs the added support of the company’s permanent, underground helical piers. Simply filling cracks with mortar or cement won’t solve the issue. With support from Cantsink’s ICC-certified supports, though, foundation settling is halted for the life of the home.

  Any number of factors can cause a home’s foundation to settle and cause the cement to crack, and a homeowner can’t always know when those conditions are present. The presence of improperly compacted backfill soils under the house, for e

Cement Crack, After Foundation Repair

xample, can create conditions that undermine the foundation. Homes close to bodies of water such as lakes, streams or rivers also are at high risk because of higher moisture content in the soil.

  Finally, tree roots can create problems under a foundation, either by growth and extension of a healthy tree’s root system under the home or the biodegradation of a root system from a tree that died or was cut down.

  This year’s El Niño rains may cause or accelerate foundation settling and undermine a previously unaffected foundation. Sudden downpours create unanticipated runoff that can saturate soil and cause it to shift in unexpected ways. Water patterns that builders may not have foreseen during construction could wash away protective layers of soil around or under the house allowing intrusion that causes the foundation to sink.

     Cantsink’s customized solutions can fix these problems discreetly, accurately, and cost-effectively. Sinking foundations that disrupt level alignment and structural integrity are restored to permanent stability with minimal disruption to landscaping. Once Cantsink’s easily installed helical piers are in place well below ground and the installation crew is gone, only the homeowner will know the lasting protection is there. Cantsink guarantees its helical piers ensure foundations that last.

  With products engineered to specific soil and climate conditions, Cantsink protects property value with easy, economical repairs. A single call to Cantsink is all that’s needed to schedule a free home inspection that can stabilize and protect foundations, decks, pools and other landscape features.

  Cantsink’s trained and experienced professionals will assess the level of damage, review any cement crack and devise a cost-effective solution and guarantee the result. When answers are that easy, there’s no reason to wait.

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Cement Cracks and Other Signs of a Sinking Foundation

The signs of a sinking foundation can be subtle at first: doors that are hard to open and close, windows that won’t open all the way, or diagonal hairline cracks along interior drywall.

   Some homeowners shrug these symptoms off as weather-related or temporary. Although weather can affect foundation stability, these effects endure and permanently alter a home’s structural integrity.

  Eventually, more serious signs emerge, such as fissures in the foundation wall, cracked or crumbling cement, sagging or uneven floors and porch steps that tilt or split apart. These signs are harder to ignore and may be dangerous if they are not remedied.

   Outdoor structures also suffer from settling soil in the ground underneath them. Allowing these problems to continue unresolved can lead to dangerous conditions or unsightly surroundings that affect a home’s market value.

  Decks, in particular, are vulnerable to changing soil conditions. Unsupported wooden decks may shift and tilt, causing boards to bulge, nails to pop up, and joints to separate. Left unaddressed over time, a settling deck may collapse under heavy weight such as an outdoor party or family cookout.

  Swimming pools and pool patios are subject to foundation settling caused by freezing ground in the winter. The weight of concrete in and around the pool added to the weight of water when the pool is full brings out the worst attributes of poor or shifting soil conditions. Hairline cracks in pool cement can affect the pool’s water quality.

  If water quality in the pool seems to require more and more treatment or the water level requires frequent adjustment, the cement should be checked for cracks.

  Similarly, fluctuating soil conditions under pool patios are caused by freezing and thawing as seasons change. Over time, the patio surface may become uneven and cracked in ways that look uninviting or even disrupt the arrangement of poolside décor.

  Other landscape features such as retaining walls, patios and gazebos also can settle and shift. This affects their alignment, aesthetic appeal and value. Cracked or crumbling retaining walls can result in garden soil erosion as well. Misaligned landscape features due to a sinking foundation can diminish resale value and make outdoor living less inviting.

  Cantsink helical supports help correct these problems and protect a sinking foundation against further damage.

  Cantsink’s customized solutions offer discreet, accurate, cost-effective foundation repair that levels and stabilizes sinking structures and guarantees support that lasts a lifetime. With patented products engineered to specific soil and climate conditions, Cantsink protects property value with easy, economical repairs. With Cantsink, repairs are accomplished with minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping.

  Once Cantsink’s easily installed helical piers are in place well below ground and the installation crew is gone, only the homeowner will know the lasting protection is there. Call Cantsink at 678-280-7453 or Contact Us to schedule a free home inspection and find out what Cantsink can do to stabilize and protect a sinking foundation, decks, pools and other landscape features.

  Cantsink’s trained and experienced professionals will assess the level of damage, devise an economical solution and guarantee the result. With answers to a sinking foundation that are easy to understand, there’s no reason to wait.

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Foundation Support for Permanent Peace of Mind

A house and its surroundings are only as sound as the foundation support that each element receives. 

Signs of a settling foundation may be hard to detect at first. Cracks may appear in the foundation structure or façade. Doors and windows may stick or develop gaps in the frame. Once-level steps may buckle, separate or tilt. Eventually, floors inside the home begin to sag or drywall develops diagonal fissures requiring additional foundation support.

Cost-effective foundation support and repair

Cantsink offers discreet, accurate, cost-effective foundation repair that levels and stabilizes sinking structures and guarantees support that lasts a lifetime. With patented foundation solutions engineered to specific soil and climate conditions, Cantsink protects property value with easy, economical repairs. With Cantsink, repairs are accomplished with minimal disruption to surrounding landscaping.

Once Cantsink crews complete their installation, the evidence of their work will be virtually undetectable. Instead, a stable, level alignment throughout the home is restored.

Trusted and endorsed by building professionals who know its record for foundation repair, Cantsink uses underground supports that level and stabilize homes of every age and size with customized solutions. Cantsink foundation supports use no chemicals and add no significant weight to the home’s footprint. Easily installed helical piers are the most environmentally friendly solution to sinking, cracking foundations, and long lasting foundation support.

Engineered to resist extreme weather

New home construction that begins with Cantsink’s patented helical piles guarantees a finished product that holds its value. Cantsink’s helical brackets are engineered to resist even extreme weather conditions, such as the unusually rainy weather of the recent El Niño season or extended freezing temperatures in cold climates.

Homeowners deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing their investment in their house is protected from shifting soil conditions that cause settling foundations. For many people, this investment is the largest financial commitment they will ever make. Foundation repairs should ensure that they will be able to enjoy that investment for decades and realize a significant return when they decide to sell.

Cantsink provides free estimates. Experts will visit the site, look for signs of foundation cracks and other indications of foundation settling, assess underlying soil conditions and recommend a customized foundation solution that corrects problems once and for all.

Although Cantsink solutions protect a home from soil erosion damage wet weather may impose on foundations, Cantsink does not provide waterproofing. Helical piles support the foundation from well below ground where runoff cannot undermine their stability or durability.

As summer approaches and outdoor living beckons, homeowners often discover that winter weather has disrupted surfaces and supports. Cantsink helical piers also provide lasting support for patios, decks, retaining walls and other landscape features to ensure they remain attractive and effective for years on end.

Swimming pools, especially, suffer from unstable soil conditions. The weight of cement for the pool and decking around it can be particularly vulnerable to certain soil conditions. Cracks in cement surfaces cause pools to leak and can affect water quality in the pool.

Lasting protection from damage

Cantsink foundation support repairs pool and decking cracks that appear and prevents further shifting. The easy, discreet, below-ground installation of Cantsink’s helical piles means that repairs cause minimal disruption to the landscape even as they supply lasting protection against further damage. Only the homeowner will know they are there.

Contact Cantsink for a free assessment of the foundation stability of your home or landscape features. It could be the first step to the peace of mind that comes from knowing your investment is affordably protected for a lifetime.

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